2) Public hospital and Puskesmas in Nduga indefinitely closed
Sentani, Jubi – Rev. Benny Giay urges all Christians in Papua to take a moment to deeply reflect on the true meaning of this year’s Christmas by considering the plight of internally displaced people in Papua, the conditions of those who have died due to illness or violence.
“Displaced people are everywhere, in Nduga, Intan Jaya, Puncak, Bintang Mountains, and Maybrat. That is what is in front of us right now,” Giay told Jubi at the Walter Post Sentani Theological College on Monday, December 18, 2023.
Giay believes that this year’s Christmas atmosphere in Papua is not fundamentally different from previous years. However, Christian people today are preoccupied with political concerns as the election is near. They are concerned with political parties, legislative candidates, and presidential candidates.
As a moderator of the Papuan Church Council, Giay reminds the community that Papuans are being used as tools by the state, whether knowingly or unknowingly.
“Either the people are aware of it or not, we are used as pawns in their games,” he stated.
Giay emphasizes that economically, socially, and politically, Papuans are vulnerable to manipulation. Therefore, during this Christmas season, he suggests the people not just being engrossed in national agendas. It is more crucial to take time together to understand and reflect, to sit down and discuss what has happened to the people in Papua throughout 2023 and how we can do differently next year.
“Let us reflect to get an overall picture of what has happened this year. From January to December 2023, how many church members have died? How many people have been killed, and how many have become refugees?” said the former Chairman of the Synod of the Church of the King’s Tabernacle (KINGMI) in Papua.
Giay reminisced about the past Christmas atmosphere in villages. When facing problems, the community would sit together, talk, and discuss. They would discuss what had happened and what needed to be done.
He urges not to let this year’s Christmas be monotonous.Christmas, according to him, should not just be about worship but there needs to be real action.
“December is synonymous with the month of peace, so let us celebrate Christmas by visiting prisons, nursing homes, or people with HIV/AIDS and those affected, so that the peace of Christmas can be felt,” he emphasized. (*)
2) Public hospital and Puskesmas in Nduga indefinitely closed
Jayapura, Jubi – John NR Gobai, lawmaker of the Papua’s People Council Commission II overseeing economics and tourism, emphasized the need for adequate road infrastructure to support the coastal tourist destinations in Amai Village, Depapre District, Jayapura Regency, Papua.
Gobai highlighted the substantial tourism potential in Tablasupa and Amai villages within Depapre District. To harness the area’s potential, Gobai said, there was a necessity for increased attention from the Jayapura Administration and Papua Provincial Government, especially in improving road access.
“There are still road damages and a lack of public transportation. The community relies solely on pick-up trucks or ‘blakos’,” Gobai stated in a phone interview with Jubi on Saturday, December 16, 2023.
According to Gobai, Yehuda Sorontou, the former head of Amai Village, expressed concerns about damaged roads and the absence of public transportation. Despite the area’s promising tourism potential, visitors come not only from Jayapura but also from beyond, including international tourists.
“The majority of the residents in Tablasupa and surrounding areas still heavily rely on the maritime fishing sector, offering sea transportation services, engaging in trade, tourism guiding, and other activities,” he explained.
He stressed that due to their coastal stretch, Kampung Tablasupa and Amai possess significant maritime and tourism potential, serving as an economic asset for the local community.
“Hence, government support is essential to improve roads and public transportation infrastructure, ultimately enhancing the quality of life for the residents there,” he concluded. (*)
Jayapura, Jubi – Roby Nyong, Chair of the Indonesian Disability Persons Association (PPDI) in Papua Province, raised concerns about the persistent challenges faced by people with disabilities in securing formal sector employment.
“Truthfully, individuals with various disabilities still struggle to find jobs. There might be one or two civil servants among us, as can be seen in the Papua‘s Legislative Council Office. But others have no representation,” said Roby on Tuesday, December 19, 2023.
PPDI Papua has recorded approximately 700 people with disabilities in Jayapura City, with a scant number engaged in formal sector employment. Only two individuals with disabilities are known to be entrepreneurs in Jayapura. Most of the others rely on familial support, occasional government aid such as basic provisions, and direct donations.
Roby emphasized that Law No. 8/2016 concerning Persons with Disabilities guarantees their right to employment. However, he highlighted the inadequacy of regulations in Papua that are supposed to favor people with disabilities.
“Take, for example, the recent recruitment of K2 contract workers into Civil Servants. Not a single person with disabilities was included, neither in the Provincial nor City governments. It seems our Regional Personnel Agency does not consider or create opportunities as mandated by the law,” Roby commented.
He noted that many individuals with disabilities in Jayapura possess degrees in engineering, law, economics, as well as high school diplomas or vocational training certificates. Despite qualifications, they struggle to secure jobs due to biases based on their physical appearance, despite their capacity and knowledge.
“In places like Jakarta, major retail chains employ deaf and speech-impaired individuals, yet in Papua, such affirmative action is severely lacking,” Roby remarked.
According to Roby, local government policies focusing primarily on providing assistance overlook the crucial need for broader job access for people with disabilities.
“In Papua, our attention leans heavily on social issues, resulting in a focus on aid distribution. However, what is crucial is ensuring opportunities for individuals, enabling them to achieve independence and prosperity,” Roby concluded. (*)
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